Tanner awoke in the late afternoon and lay with her eyes closed,
getting used to the idea of Adrienne beside her. Adrienneís chest rose gently
under her hand with each breath. It was warm in the room, and Tanner felt lazy
from the heat and the aftermath of love. She opened her eyes but didnít move.
She wanted to savor the feeling of being there with Adrienne a while longer,
before conversation and activity broke the spell.

Adrienne was turned slightly away from her, curled on her side.
Her hair, partially covering her face, fluttered gently in the breeze from the
open door. Tanner noticed the tiny freckles on her shoulders from the sun and
the downy hair on the sides of her cheek. A feeling of tenderness, so intense
it surprised her, welled within her. She wanted to protect Adrienne, to keep
her from harm, as if such a thing were truly possible. She wished that the force
and depth of her feelings would be enough to shield her from injury. She sighed,
knowing it was foolish, but part of her still clung to the desire nevertheless.

From this position Tanner couldnít see the scar on Adrienneís
chest, but she remembered every detail of it. She had never truly understood
before what that kind of surgery meant. She had heard about it and read about
it, of course, and it had become such a common topic that it seemed familiaróuntil
today. It wasnít horrifying, or really even ugly. The strangest thing was the
absence of the shape she was used to. Womenís breasts had always been a source
of mystical beauty to her, long before she had begun to love women sexually.
She remembered when she was young, watching her mother naked. Her mother's breasts
had fascinated her. They were so soothing to look at, flowing and bouncing as
she walked. She could recall looking down at her own flat chest and trying to
imagine what it would be like to have such wonderful things on her own body.
Now she tried to imagine what it would be like not to have them. She rarely
thought of her breasts as separate parts of herself. They were just there, like
her arms and her legs. Would losing one be like losing an arm? Would she feel
unbalanced, out of touch with her physical self? She tried to imagine how she
would feel letting someone else see her like that. Despite her strong ego, she
knew that she was always a little insecure that a lover would find her less
than perfect. How would she cope with knowing that she truly was less than physically
whole? Tanner wasnít at all sure she would have the courage to find out.

She looked at Adrienne, sleeping peacefully beside her. How
brave she was! Tanner was proud that Adrienne had trusted her enough to take
that chance. She cuddled closer, stirred by a new respect for the woman who
had gone through so much and was still willing to risk more.

Adrienne stirred and sighed softly, turning toward Tanner in
half-sleep. Her hand trailed softly over Tannerís hip and up to her shoulder.
Adrienne nestled her face against Tannerís breast and gently kissed her there.
Tanner extracted her arm from between them and settled Adrienneís head in the
crook of her arm.

"Hello," she said softly.

"Mmmóhi," Adrienne replied, burrowing her nose against
Tannerís nipple. Tanner giggled and kissed the top of Adrienneís head.

"Are you waking up?" Tanner asked.

"No."

Tanner smoothed the hair back from Adrienne's temple, kissing
her lightly. God, she felt good! "You know, I donít think Iíve eaten for
at least a month. I may perish right here in a few minutes."

"That would be criminal," Adrienne responded, kissing
her again.

"Can I take you out to dinner, then?" Tanner continued.

"How about room service?" Adrienne joked. She really
didn't want to face the world. Or to allow reality to dispel this brief moment
of peace. She looked at Tanner, who smiled back, her face still dreamy with
satisfaction. "I suppose we must get up," she sighed.

"Just for a little while," Tanner said, kissing her
lightly. "I have to refuel."

She reached for Tannerís hand and pulled her along toward the
bath≠room.

~

The water was cool and they both gasped as it struck them. Adrienne
began to shampoo Tannerís hair, massaging her head and taking advantage of the
opportunity to look at Tanner unobserved. Whereas previously she had only stolen
glimpses of her, now she took the time to feast. Her gaze wandered over Tanner's
sleek torso to her strong legs, lingering for a long moment on the dark wavy
hair at the base of her smooth belly. Adrienne acknowledged the quick flush
of desire, shaking her head in self-reproach.

She was acting like she was seventeen again! She had to remind
herself that this could develop into a difficult situation if she didnít keep
a firm control over things. She had to make Tanner understand that anything
serious between them was out of the question. How could she possibly become
involved? She hadnít anything to offer anyone - especially someone as young
and vital as Tanner. She was startled by the touch of Tannerís hands on her
waist.

"That feels so good," Tanner murmured with a sigh,
lulled by the steady gentle pressure of Adrienneís strong fingers in her hair.
She allowed herself to be guided by Adrienneís touch as she felt her body being
turned in the stream of the water. She knew that Adrienne was studying her,
and she was secretly pleased. She was wholly satisfied but arousal was just
a breath away. She wanted Adrienne to desire her. She felt ripe and lush with
the slow burning aftermath of their lovemaking and sought silently to pull Adrienne
into that fire with her.

Adrienne sensed Tannerís body grow soft and somehow fuller under
her hands as she turned her slowly in the warm spray of the shower. She watched
the rivulets of water run in curving trails over Tannerís face and down onto
her body. She pushed the wet strands of dark hair back from the strong planes
of Tannerís face, brushing her thumbs over Tanner's cheeks and down to the edge
of her jaw. Tanner turned her head and captured Adrienne's thumb in her mouth,
sucking gently.

"You're bad," Adrienne whispered, knowing she had to have her
again. One more time.

She backed Tanner against the shower wall, lowering her head
to capture a nipple in her mouth, her thumb still between Tanner's lips, her
fingers splayed along Tanner's jaw, holding her head against the glass. Tanner
moaned softly.

She alternately sucked and licked the tiny erect bud between
her lips until Tanner's hips were twisting against her. She was lost in the
exquisite sensation, pressing her face against Tannerís breasts, her other hand
in that tiny hollow just above Tannerís buttocks.

Tanner gasped, almost a sob, her neck arched under Adrienne's
hand. "You're driving me crazy. Nobody ever did this to me before."

Adrienne smiled to herself, bringing her hand to the smooth
flat plane of Tannerís abdomen, brushing her fingers through the wet curls below.
"Oh yeah? Used to being in charge, are we?"

Tanner merely groaned, arching her hips, silently pleading.

"Patience, lover," Adrienne teased. When she stroked lower between
the swollen lips, she found wetness that was not from the water streaming over
them. She lingered, fingering her softly, enjoying her ability to arouse this
passionate young woman.

She slipped inside those warm folds, sliding deeply in and slowly
out, her thumb pressing the length of Tanner's clitoris with each stroke. Tanner
stiffened, her breath coming in short hoarse gasps. Adrienne stifled a moan
as Tannerís body contracted around her fingers. Somewhere a pulse beat rapidly
against her hand. She tightened her hold as Tanner began to tremble in her arms.
She tried to focus, tried to match her movements with Tanner's inner rhythm,
but she was so excited now herself it was impossible to concentrate. Faster,
harder now Ė some instinctive sense guiding her, she pressed inward, deeper.
And then there was only Tanner, crying her name, clinging to her, coming.

"Don't come out," Tanner managed to gasp when she could breathe
again.

They swayed, locked together for a long time, until finally,
Tanner took a deep breath and grinned shyly. "Adrienne! If I donít drown
first, Iím going to fall down!"

Adrienne laughed. "I doubt it! You survived more water
than this in that gale storm, remember?"

"That wasnít quite the same thing," Tanner murmured,
circling Adrienne in her arms, holding her close. "I wasnít nearly so aroused
then!" A flicker of almost pain flashed across her face as Adrienne slipped
from inside her, feeling the loss already.

"We're going to lose the hot water," Adrienne warned regretfully.

Tanner sighed and stepped back. "Well, let me have the
soap, then."

Adrienne looked at her, puzzled, but did as she asked. With
the soap in one hand, Tanner reached around Adrienneís body with the other and
held her still. She worked the lather into swirls over Adrienneís chest and
belly. Lowering her eyes, she continued the soft circular motions as she traced
the contours of the firm muscles under her hands. She cupped Adrienneís breast
in her hands and ran her fingers gently over the nipple. She followed the curve
to the center of Adrienneís chest and placed her hand gently on the flat surface
where Adrienne's other breast had been. Tenderly she continued to work the soap
up and down, moving along the pink scar with care. She sensed Adrienne stiffen
slightly, and Tanner tilted her head back to look at her. Adrienne gazed down
at her with a question in her eyes.

"What is it?" Tanner asked.

"You really donít mind about this?" Adrienne asked,
glancing down at her body.

"Of course I mind!" Tanner replied instantly, her
eyes blazing. "I mind very much that youíve been ill, and that you were
physically hurt and emotionally violated! I mind that you had to live through
it and that you still have to live with it now! I mind that I canít change it
or help it!"

Adrienne stopped the rush of words with her fingers against
Tannerís lips. She pulled her close, embracing her fiercely. "You have
helped! Every time you look at me and still want to touch me, you help. Youíve
helped me to feel whole again. I never thought I would want to touch anyone
or be touched - ever again. Oh, Tanner! You help!"

Tanner's tears mixed with the water that streamed from her face.
"I hate what happened to you," she whispered.

Adrienne kissed her, murmuring the comfort she herself had longed
to hear not so long ago. "Itís all right. Really, itís all right."

~

They drove to a restaurant that was a local favorite at the
south end of the island. The maitre dí greeted Tanner with polite familiarity
and showed them to a secluded table that overlooked the harbor.

"I am," Tanner replied, glancing at her watch. "Iím
celebrating the best eighteen hours Iíve spent in years." She looked at
Adrienne with a satisfied grin on her face and her meaning was clear.

Adrienne blushed and turned to look out the window. The last
of the sailors and fishermen were bringing their crafts into the harbor under
the setting sun. The scene was almost too idyllic for Adrienneís comfort. She
realized how easily she could be drawn into the languorous life of the island,
and of exactly how much she longed to do just that. These last few hours with
Tanner seemed like magic moments, lived outside the reality of the life she
knew. She needed so badly to escape from the torment and uncertainty that had
plagued her since she left California. For a while, with Tanner, she had. She
felt like her old self again, confident and wholly alive. She had forgotten
for the first time in over a year that her life was no longer hers to do with
as she wished. Where once she had seen the future so clearly, now she saw only
a blank screen filled with questions. How simple it would be to wander into
that unknown void wrapped in the comfort of Tannerís arms and the mystical timelessness
of life on Whitley Point. She sighed, knowing she could not allow herself to
follow this line of thinking much longer. That path inevitably led to disaster.
She would not use Tanner in that way - taking from her with nothing to offer
her in return. It was folly and she knew it.

She finally turned back to Tanner, whose eyes were intently
searching her face. In a voice that came out sounding harsher than she meant,
Adrienne said, "Donít lose your head over this, Tanner. Iíll be leaving
here soon."

"Why?" Tanner questioned. Her voice was still with
a calmness she did not feel. She had been expecting something like this. It
was too much to expect that Adrienne would simply accept what had happened between
them without resistance. For that matter, I haven't shown her much reason
to trust me.

Adrienne looked at her, faint surprise registering in her cool
blue eyes. "You said it yourself when we first met. Iím hiding - I have
been hiding for the better part of a year. I canít stay here just because I
feel safe by the sea and protected by the seclusion. In the end even the beauty
of this island, and you, cannot alter my fate. I have to get on with my life
- whatever there is left of it." She saw Tanner pale and added tenderly,
"Iím sorry. I donít mean to sound morbid, but I have to be realistic."

"Whatís so realistic about leaving one place for another
just because you happen to be happy here?" Tanner replied, failing to temper
the anger in her voice. "Is it only realistic when you feel miser≠able?
Is there some reason that you think you donít deserve to be happy?" She
didnít even try to conceal the bitterness in her tone. Adrienne was threatening
to take from her the only peace she had ever found in her life, and she would
not let it go easily!

Adrienne stared at Tanner in frustration. "I canít talk
to you rationally about this!" She gestured out the window to the placid
scene below them. "You live in your own world, with its own special rules!
My god, Tanner - do you even know what it means to go without anything?"

Tanner stared back at her, her face flushing. "Yes,
I know! I know what it is to be without purpose, without dreams, without one
honest feeling from one day to the next. I know what it means to wake up in
the morning and wonder if thereís any point to it. And I know how to forget
those feelings with alcohol and drugs. Do you think you have a monopoly on unhappiness?"
She stopped suddenly, tears brimming in her eyes. "I may never have wanted for
things, but since my father died, all I've felt is guilt and anger and helplessness."

Adrienne reached quickly across the table and grasped Tannerís
hand. "Stop! Iím sorryóreally I am! I didnít mean to attack you. Itís not
you Iím angry with. I want to enjoy tonight with you. You have made me feel
wonderful, and Iím grateful."

Tanner shook her head, frowning, but she did not release her
grip on Adrienneís hand. "God, Adrienne! I donít want you to be grateful!
I just want you to accept it for what it is. You touch me somewhere no one has
been able to reach for years. You take away the pain! And you make me want to
give that back. I want to know you - I want to hold you, and laugh with you,
and just Ė be with you. I think itís called love." She shrugged
and fell silent. It was that simple to her. She knew what she felt and that
was all that really mattered to her.

"I canít love you, Tanner," Adrienne said quietly.
"I donít have anything left to love you with. Iím tired; I have no place
to go and nothing to offer you. I donít even have a tomorrow to count on."
She slumped slightly, suddenly very weary. Too much had happened, too many memories
had been awakened. And she could still feel Tanner's hands on her. She looked
at Tanner, her blue eyes desolate. "Please don't make me hurt you, Tanner. Please."

Tanner signaled the waiter who appeared instantly at their side.

"Yes, Ms. Whitley?"

"A bottle of your very best champagne, Richard. And then
we'll order." As he nodded and moved away, Tanner turned back to Adrienne
and said calmly, "You may choose not to love me, but you canít stop me
from loving you."

Adrienne closed her eyes briefly, still holding Tanner's hand.
She couldn't fight with her any longer, and she couldn't walk away, no matter
how much she knew she should. Not tonight, not with Tanner looking at her with
what could only be love in her eyes. Tomorrow Ė tomorrow she would sort this
out.

Chapter Thirteen

Adrienne found that there was little comfort in doing the right
thing. When Tanner brought her home from the restaurant, she said good night
with a soft brush of her lips against Adrienneís cheek, murmuring, "Iíll
call you."

"Don't," Adrienne had whispered softly.

And she had stood on the steps of this house and watched Tanner
walk back to her car with her characteristic purposeful stride and wondered
to herself why she was letting her go. All she really wanted to do was take
her inside and undress her - slowly, and lie beside her in the silvery moonlight
that streamed through her bedroom windows. She wanted to explore every curve
and hollow of her body and kiss away the frown lines between her brows. She
wanted to make her cry out again when her body could no longer contain her passion,
and she wanted to hold her while she slept. But she knew she would do none of
those things.

She would not be that selfish! Tanner was so young! She
did not doubt the sincerity of Tannerís emotions, but she truly believed that
what Tanner mistook for love was just her great loneliness and need. Adrienne
knew that Tanner was easily impassioned, quick to respond and eager to fill
the emptiness of her life with something meaningful. Tanner would move on from
this brief experience as the young did so often, as she should, and discover
someone who could match her own vitality and relentless spirit.

Adrienne knew that she had little of that joy left. She would
only be taking more than she gave, and she would surely come to hate herself.
It was madness to get involved! So she watched Tanner pull away in her sleek
silver sports coupe and had taken comfort in the rightness of her decision.
Adrienne had not heard from her since.

A week passed, and when she awakened each morning she longed
for Tanner beside her. She ached to see the softness of her face as she slept
and to watch her dark eyes blaze with passion when they touched. She wanted
Tanner's warmth, and her intensity and her desire. She tried to force the many
images of Tanner from her mind, but she failed. No matter how she tried to occupy
her thoughts, she could not escape her memories. She cursed her own weakness
even as she longed for Tannerís presence. She ran on the beach until she was
exhausted, but still she found herself looking over the dunes for Tannerís familiar
form. She com≠forted herself with the thought that all things must pass. She
had certainly lived through worse things than this.

Despite her determination to forget the young woman who haunted
her waking hours and restless nights, her heart leapt when she saw the Jag pull
into the drive in front of her house early one morning. Adrienne hurried out
onto the front porch as Tanner stepped from the car.

"Hi!" Tanner called, an easy grin on her face. She
leaned against the fender, her denim-clad legs crossed, her white tee shirt
tight across her chest. Her black hair tousled, her arms loosely crossed, she
was as dashing and dangerous looking as a young James Dean. "Iím going
sailing. Want to come?"

"Yes! Let me get some things together," Adrienne replied
instantly, already turning to go back into the house. She hurried before she
had time to change her mind. She was delighted to see Tanner and she didnít
want to think or question. She rushed about gathering her gear, feeling better
than she had in days.

Tanner waited, her heart pounding. She didn't want to make a
mistake. Adrienne was everything she had ever wanted Ė tender, vulnerable, strong,
stubborn. Tanner desired her with a passion and an intensity that she had not
imagined possible. She had thought of nothing but Adrienne for days. She had
meant to give her time, hoping that Adrienne would change her mind, hoping that
she would call. But she did not.

Tanner lay down at night, knowing that she would sleep little,
her body on fire. She ached for Adrienne's touch. The sun would rise to find
her staring out the window, longing for Adrienne in her arms. She fretted about
the house so much that Constance finally grew alarmed.

She found Tanner out on the verandah early one morning, slumped
in a lounge chair, staring moodily out over the dunes. Constance sat beside
her, sipping her coffee. Tanner turned, surprised to see her, and smiled wanly.
"Hello, Mother."

"Good morning, darling." Never one to avoid an issue
when she had made up her mind to confront it, Constance continued, "I canít
help but notice that you havenít been acting like yourself for days. Is there
something I can do? I hate to see you like this." She spoke softly and
Tanner couldnít miss the affection in her tone.

Tanner sighed and laughed ruefully. "Does it show that
badly?"

"Iím afraid it does, sweetheart."

"Would you think me very foolish if I told you that I was
in love?" Tanner asked shyly.

Constance regarded her seriously for a moment. "Quite frankly,
I would be delighted."

Constance did not add that she had begun to wonder if Tanner
would ever allow anyone close to her again. It seemed as if she had taken her
fatherís death as some kind of betrayal and had unconsciously avoided any intimate
involvements since that time. She was quite sure she knew who had prompted this
response in her compli≠cated daughter, but there were certain subjects Constance
considered too personal to broach until Tanner volunteered the information.
She continued instead, "It appears that there is some difficulty, however?"

Tanner laughed with a hint of good humor. "Oh, Mother!
What an understate≠ment! Not just oneóthat would be too simple!" Her face
became suddenly serious, and she added, "I think itís a matter of trust.
I have a feeling she doesnít think I can weather a storm, let alone a hurricane,
if one comes up."

"I believe it develops slowly, as you face difficulties
together and see them through. For some people itís more than just a matter
of faith, especially if theyíve been disappointed in the past. Iím afraid it
often comes down to a matter of time."

"Time!" Tanner responded angrily. "Must everything
take so much time? I donít even know where to begin!"

"You might begin by letting her know that you arenít going
to disappear, simply because everything isnít easy at the moment."

Tanner looked at her mother gratefully. She was right, and it
was so simple! Adrienne expected her to disappear Ė to be dissuaded by Adrienne's
resistance. And she had let Adrienne's fear keep her away.

Idiot! It's time to show Adrienne that I'm not giving up Ė and
I'm not going away!

And so she had come, determined to prove herself, and her love.
She looked up as she heard Adrienneís front door closing. "Hi," she
said huskily, searching Adrienneís eyes for some hint of her feelings.

Adrienne stepped down off the stairs and kissed her, quickly
but firmly, on the mouth. "Hi," she said as she turned and headed
around to the passenger side of the car.

Tanner stood still for a second, slightly weak in the knees,
and then vaulted for the door, grinning triumphantly.

~

They both waved to Josh Thomas as they stowed their gear and
quickly set sail. This time Adrienne maneuvered them deftly out of the channel.
Tanner moved effortlessly around the cockpit, adjusting the sails and luxuriating
at being out on the sea againóand at being with Adrienne! She thought perhaps
she loved Adrienne best here, on the sea, sharing the thrill and freedom of
the sailboat flying over the water, the serenity of the secluded coves as their
destination. When they were well under way and Adrienne had set a course for
one of the infrequently visited islands, Tanner leaned back against the bulkhead
and watched Adrienne at the wheel.

Adrienne enjoyed the attention. She felt unaccountably confident,
when previously such scrutiny would have made her very uncomfortable. The spray
off the bow blew onto her, drenching her cotton shirt. She wore no bra, and
she knew that Tanner would notice the asymmetry of her chest beneath it. Amazingly,
she wasn't worried. Tanner, after all, had seen it before. Instead she allowed
herself to bask in the pleasure of Tannerís appraising glance.

Her body stirred as she imagined Tannerís hands upon her, and
she glanced at Tanner sternly. "Stop it."

Tanner slouched a little more, her arms spread along the top
of the rail, her legs parted insolently, her grin infuriatingly confident. "What?"

When they were well out from shore, Tanner began to peel off
her clothes. Adrienne watched her fondly, envious of Tannerís complete lack
of self-consciousness. Even before her surgery Adrienne had seldom been uninhibited
physically. Certainly Alicia was a rather understated person sexually. In Tanner
though, Adrienne found such sensuousness totally natural. Unfortunately, she
couldn't continue to divide her attention between the wind, the waves, and Tanner's
breasts.

"That's it," Adrienne announced. "I'm finding a place to drop
anchor." While she brought them into the lee side of a small, uninhabited island,
Tanner dozed in the sun.

Adrienne stood for a moment savoring the view. Tanner lounged
on her back on one of the padded bench seats, her sleek muscular body covered
with a light sheen of perspiration. Even her breasts were a light golden-bronze.
With the boat secured, Adrienne stepped silently across the deck and knelt at
Tannerís side. With one finger she traced the line of Tannerís cheek, over the
chiseled arch and along her jaw, brushing lightly down her neck. She held her
breath, marveling at the strong steady pulse that seemed so close to the surface.
She slipped her hand under one of Tannerís breasts, squeezing lightly as her
thumb circled the dark nipple. Tanner stirred in her sleep but did not awaken.
Adrienne smiled to herself as she lowered her face against Tannerís breast,
her mouth finding the nipple, drawing it in. She teased with her tongue until
she felt it grow hard between her lips. She moved from one breast to the other,
gently stroking the Tannerís belly, circling ever lower until her fingers reached
the crisp moist triangle of hair nestled between Tannerís legs. Tannerís muscles
twitched, her breath quickened, and Adrienne heard her gasp.

She's awake, and she's letting me have her. God, she's so beautiful.

She dipped with a feather-light touch into pools of moisture
and out again. She pressed, she stroked, she teased until she could bear it
no longer. She slipped her fingers smoothly inside Tannerís welcoming warmth,
feeling herself instantly enclosed by the responsive tissues. Despite the eager
response, Adrienne moved slowly, allowing the engorged tissues to relax and
accept more and more of her. Once fully surrounded, Adrienne began to rock slowly
in and out, timing her movements to the beat of the pulsing tissues around her
hand. She was soon rewarded by a flood of moisture accompanied by a low groan
from Tanner.

"Adrienne," Tanner gasped, "kiss me please."

Adrienne lifted her face reluctantly from Tannerís breasts,
nearly lost in the wonder of Tanner's body. Tannerís eyes were glazed with need,
and a high flush suffused her face and neck. Adrienne thought she had never
seen a more stunning woman. Adrienne leaned over her suddenly and brought her
lips down on Tannerís, her kiss as hard as her hands were gentle. She forced
Tannerís lips apart with her tongue and plunged into her mouth with deep firm
strokes. The force of Adrienneís hunger took Tanner by surprise and set off
an explosion within her. She cried out as her body clamped down convulsively
around Adrienneís hand, wresting her last shred of control from her. She screamed
as the full force of the contractions struck, her hips nearly bucking off the
bench. Exhausted by the wracking orgasm, she fell asleep cradled in Adrienne's
arms.

~

Tanner opened her eyes to find herself alone on the deck. She
smiled when she noted the towel that Adrienne had spread over her to shield
her from the worst of the sun. She stretched contentedly, recalling the incredible
pleasure that had put her to sleep. Adrienne's face flashed before her, and
suddenly the only thing she wanted was to see her. She stuck her head down through
the hatch but the cabin was deserted. She clamored up onto the bow to look around.
She heard splashing and discovered Adrienne in the water.

"Hello there!" Tanner called.

Adrienne waved and smiled. "Itís wonderful. Come join me!"

Tanner dove gracefully off the bow and made a smooth arc through
the water to surface near Adrienne. She flung her head back to clear the water
from her face and reached for Adrienne.

"Hey, you! I missed you!" she exclaimed. She grasped
Adrienneís waist and attempted to kiss her, succeeding only in pulling them
both under water.

Adrienne coughed and sputtered water and finally laughed. "Idiot!
Not in the water!"

"Why not?" Tanner said, pulling Adrienne against her.
She slipped one leg between Adrienneís and the other around her, supporting
her. She treaded water lightly to keep their heads above the surface. Adrienne
fit neatly into the bend of her body. Tanner finally managed to kiss her.

Adrienne smiled, leaning her forehead against Tanner's. Her
blond hair fanned out around Tanner's face, gently stroking her cheeks. "You
make me want things I canít even put words to," she murmured.

"Words donít matter. I can feel it," Tanner answered.
"Come up on deck with me. If I do what I want to do here, we'll both drown."
She slipped her legs free and swam towards the boat, one hand clasped in Adrienneís.

Tanner spread a towel in the sun on the broad bow and pulled
Adrienne down on it beside her. She kissed the salt from Adrienneís lips and
moved languor≠ously down to her neck, alternately licking and kissing the remains
of the sea from her skin. Adrienne arched her head and closed her eyes, content
to give herself up to the pleasure Tanner was kindling with her tongue. Tanner
did not hurry. She kissed Adrienneís chest, her belly button, her tender inner
thighs. She lost herself for long moments breathing in the musky sea smell of
her. She wanted to immerse herself in the essence of Adrienneís being. At last
she rested her cheek in the crook of Adrienneís thigh and satisfied her urge
to taste her. Tanner followed the dictates of Adrienneís body effortlessly,
without thought -- speeding up, slowing, now harder, now softer Ė guided by
the ebb and flow of blood and breath and muscle.

Adrienne swelled and throbbed and opened to her, as everything
became swirling, pounding sensation. Adrienneís thigh muscles tensed, and Tanner
wrapped her arms around Adrienneís hips to keep her precious hold during the
earthquake she knew was coming. She was not disappointed as Adrienneís legs
tightened, her hips lifted and she cried Tanner's name.

Tanner continued to lick her until Adrienne quieted under her
now gentle strokes and then crawled up beside her, gathering her into her arms.
She pulled Adrienneís head onto her shoulder and sighed. "Are you all right?"
she asked.

Adrienne snuggled close and curled her hand in Tannerís hair.
"You are marvelous. And I know you could tell," she whispered when
she found her breath.

Tanner kissed her forehead lightly and murmured, "I love
you."

Adrienne sighed. "I donít suppose thereís any use in trying
to talk some sense into you, is there?"